Sports bag

Abstract

A segmented duffle bag with a single continuous strap. A cylindrical duffle bag with two segments secured together with diametrically opposed longitudinal zippers. A multi-segmented duffle bag with two semi-cylindrical segments secured together with longitudinal zippers and each semi-cylindrical segment having quarter sections secured together with an annular zipper. The single continuous strap functions as a hand grip or a shoulder strap and maintains the connectivity of the duffle bag segments even when separated.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A duffle bag comprising:
 a pair of semi-cylindrically-shaped separable compartment segments that combine to form the bag, wherein each compartment segment has two longitudinal edges that define a planar surface of the segment, wherein each compartment segment has an end, and wherein each compartment segment is further partially segmented along a semi-annular line oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the compartment segment to form a proximal segment and a distal segment; 
 a pair of longitudinal connection means secured to each segment longitudinal edge to secure the pair of compartment segments together, wherein the longitudinal connection means are selected from the group consisting of zippers, hook and loop fastening systems and combinations thereof, wherein the pair of longitudinal connections means permit the pair of compartment segments to be releasably secured together; 
 an annular connection means secured along the semi-annular line to secure the proximal and distal segments together, wherein the annular connection means are selected from the group consisting of zippers, hook and loop fastening systems and combinations thereof, wherein the annular connection means permits the proximal segment and the distal segment to be releasably secured together; 
 a compartment segment end connection means for securing one end of each segment compartment to the end of the other compartment segment and permit the segments to rotate about end connection means, wherein the end connection means is selected from the group consisting of zippers, hook and loop fastener systems, flexible cloth, flexible plastic and combinations thereof; 
 a plurality of strap-holding rings secured to each of the pair of compartment segments and each of the proximal segments and the distal segments; and, 
 a single continuous strap secured through each of the plurality of holding rings, wherein the strap permits the pair of compartment segments to be partially separated for access to compartments formed in the segments while maintaining a connection between the pair of compartment segments with the strap, and wherein the strap permits the proximal segments and the distal segments to be partially separated apart. 
 
     
     
       2. The duffle bag of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the pair of semi-cylindrical segments is a multi-compartmented segment. 
     
     
       3. The duffle bag of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the plurality of strap-holding rings are secured to each of the pair of compartment segments. 
     
     
       4. The duffle bag of  claim 1  further comprising at least one shoulder pad/hand grip secured to the strap. 
     
     
       5. The duffle bag of  claim 4  wherein the at least one shoulder pad/hand grip has slots for receiving the strap, wherein the shoulder pad/hand grip can freely slide along the length of the strap. 
     
     
       6. The duffle bag of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of strap-holding rings are D-rings. 
     
     
       7. The duffle bag of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the D-rings are secured to a post secured to one of the pair of compartment segments, wherein the at least one D-ring freely rotates about the post. 
     
     
       8. The duffle bag of  claim 1  further comprising a compartment segment end connection means for securing one end of each segment compartment to the end of the other compartment segment, wherein the end connection means is selected from the group consisting of zippers, hook and loop fastener systems, flexible cloth, flexible plastic and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The duffle bag of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first belt segment secured to one of the distal segments of one of the pair of compartment segments; 
 a second belt segment secured to the second of the distal segments of the second of the pair of the compartment segments; 
 a buckle secured to a distal end of the first belt segment; 
 a latch tongue secured to a distal end of the second belt segment, wherein the buckle has a tongue-receiving aperture dimensioned to receive the latch tongue, and wherein the latch tongue has releasably-locking surfaces that engage corresponding surfaces in the buckle tongue-receiving aperture. 
 
     
     
       10. The duffle bag of  claim 9  wherein the latch tongue further comprises depressible locking tines that engage the buckle and permit the latch tongue to be disengaged from the buckle. 
     
     
       11. The duffle bag of  claim 9  wherein the buckle further comprises
 a release button for disengaging the latch tongue from the buckle.